Multifunctional hub and methods of use

ABSTRACT

A connecting hub is presented that elevates objects attached to lines and attachment of poles to aid in the hub elevation. The connecting hub provides for stabilizing, elevating and anchoring the objects attached by lines to the hub through multiple hub eyelets, both attached and detachable eyelets, and multiple hub cavities for pole attachment.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/413,937, which was filed on Oct. 27, 2016. The present invention relates to devices and methods providing a stable support structure for fabric articles such as hammocks, tents and slack lines.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Background of the Invention

Hammocks are becoming increasingly popular, as is the desire to hang them in varying locations and terrain. The need for privacy and protection from the elements is highly desirable. Currently, hammock stands are used to hang hammocks where no trees are available. Tarp poles are used to pitch tarps. Tent structure is used simply to provide framework for tents. Finding a suitable place to hang a hammock has always been challenging.

While there have been many variations of hammock stands and tarp poles, there are no truly packable hammock tents. In the past, hammock stands and tarp poles could be purchased separately or built into non-packable structures. Most hammock stands tend to be bulky and heavy, and in many cases, too heavy to be considered packable. Although lighter hammock stands have been manufactured, these stands typically have several moving parts that can break and often require ideal situations in which to be set up. None of these conventional stands are adjustable or have interchangeable legs that allow for different loads. In order to pitch a tent, a camper had to search for level ground or find two trees close enough to hang a hammock and tarp combination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide for a multifunctional connecting hub. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a connecting hub comprising, a first line connection point adaptable to receive a first line, a second line connection point adaptable to receive a second line and a first cavity adapted to receive a first pole. The instant invention can be used in anchoring hammock lines and slack lines. The fundamental advantage of the instant invention is to provide a multifunctional connecting hub that attaches to poles and anchors to support lines that elevate objects, such as hammocks and slack lines.

In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a connecting hub comprising, a first line connection point adaptable to receive a first line, a second line connection point adaptable to receive a second line, a first cavity adapted to receive a first pole, a first pole received into the first cavity adapted to receive the first pole, said first pole having a first pole length and a first pole end adapted to contact a ground surface, a second cavity adapted to receive a second pole, a second pole received into the second cavity adapted to receive the second pole, said second pole having a second pole length and a second pole end adapted to contact the ground surface and an anti-spreading device in contact with the first pole and the second pole, said anti-spreading device in contact with the first pole at a point above the ground and below where the first pole and the connecting hub connect and said anti-spreading device in contact with the second pole at a point above the ground and below where the second pole and the connecting hub connect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top planar view of one embodiment of the instant invention depicting a detachable eyelet and an attached eyelet.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top planar view of one embodiment of the instant invention depicting two fully attached eyelets.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side and top perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention having three eyelets and two detachable eyelets attached to the two eyelets.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side and top perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention having two eyelets and two detachable eyelets attached to the two eyelets and three poles attached to the connecting hub.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side and top perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention having two eyelets and two detachable eyelets attached to the two eyelets with two lines attached to the eyelets and three poles attached to the connecting hub.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side and top perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention having two eyelets and two detachable eyelets attached to the two eyelets with three lines attached to two eyelets and three poles attached to the connecting hub with an anti-spreading device attached to the two poles.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top and side perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention having detachable eyelets, five lines and one pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures. In this detailed description, reference is to a few embodiments of the instant invention, as illustrated in the accompanying and above-referenced drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a connecting hub 1 comprising, a first line connection point 11 adaptable to receive a first line (not depicted in FIG. 1), a second line connection point 12 adaptable to receive a second line (not depicted in FIG. 1) and a first cavity 21 adapted to receive a first pole (not depicted in FIG. 1), a second cavity 22 adapted to receive a second pole (not depicted in FIG. 1) and a third cavity 23 adapted to receive a third pole (not depicted in FIG. 1). In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the first line connection point 11 comprises a first eyelet 31 and the second line connection point 12 comprises a second eyelet 32.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the first line connection point 11, comprises first eyelet, which 31, comprises a detachable eyelet 41. The mechanism of attachment of the detachable eyelet 41 to the connecting hub 1 comprises a screw 850 attached to the first detachable eyelet 41. In FIG. 1, the space 900 between the detached eyelet 41 and the hub 1 allows for material, typically having a grommet that is larger in size than the screw 850 to be placed between the detachable eyelet 41 and the hub 1 prior to attaching the detachable eyelet 41 to the hub 1. The detachable nature of the eyelet allows for material, such as a tent wall, to be placed between the connecting hub 1 and the first line connection point 11.

FIG. 1 depicts the second line connection point 12, which comprises the second eyelet 32. Although not depicted in a detached configuration, it is anticipated that the second eyelet 33 comprises a detachable eyelet 42 within the scope of this invention. The second detachable eyelet 42, similar to the first detachable eyelet 41, allows material to be placed between the connecting hub 1 and the second detachable eyelet 42.

FIG. 2 depicts the connection hub with the first detachable eyelet 41 and second detachable eyelet 42, comprising line attachment connection points 11 and 12, respectively, fully attached to the connecting hub 1. Also depicted are the first cavity 21, second cavity 22 and third cavity 23.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the instant invention illustrating the hub 1 having a first pole 101 received into the first cavity 21, which is adapted to receive the first pole 101. Although not depicted in FIG. 3, the first pole 101 has a first pole length and a first pole end adapted to contact a ground surface. FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment wherein the hub 1 comprises the first eyelet 31 is attached to a first detachable eyelet 51, in this, case a carabiner. On the opposite side of the hub 1, FIG. 3 depicts a second detachable eyelet 52, in this case, another carabiner, which is attached to a not-depicted second eyelet 32.

FIG. 3 also depicts a third line connection point 13 in an eyelet form. It is within the scope of the invention that the third line connection point be a detachable, eyelet similar to the previously presented first and second detachable eyelets.

FIG. 4 depicts the hub 1 having the first cavity 21 having received a first pole 101, a second cavity 22 having received a second pole 102 and a third cavity 23 having received a third pole 103. In this embodiment of the present invention, the first eyelet 31 is attached to the first detachable eyelet 51 and the second eyelet 32 is attached to second detachable eyelet 52. In FIG. 4, the two depicted detachable eyelets 51 and 52 comprise the line attachment points 11 and 12, respectively.

FIG. 5 depicts pole 101, pole 102 and pole 103 inserted and received into the hub 1. Hub 1 is shown with first eyelet 31 attached to the first detachable eyelet 51, which comprises the first line attachment point 11. Although not depicted in FIG. 5, there exists the second eyelet 32 of hub 1 and the second eyelet 32 is attached to the depicted second line attachment point 12, which is the second detachable eyelet 52. In FIG. 5, the pole 101 and the pole 102 have ends which contact the ground surface 1000. Further, the first line attachment point 11, the first detachable eyelet 51, is in contact with a first line 301 and the second line attachment point 12, the second detachable eyelet 52, is in contact with the second line 302. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the line 301 is typically in contact with a ground anchor embedded in the ground surface 1000. Additionally, line 302 is typically attached to a hammock, slack line or similar item that requires elevation above the ground surface 1000.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the instant invention wherein the telescopic pole 201 and the telescopic pole 202 which contact the ground surface 1000 allow the length of the pole to be altered, which allows the height of the connecting hub to be raised or lowered. The telescopic nature of the telescopic poles 201 and 201 also allow the hub to be placed on an uneven ground surface. FIG. 6 also depicts an anti-spreading device 500, which is attached to the first pole and the second pole. The anti-spreading device 500 provides a mechanism to prevent the bowing of the poles 201 and 202. Typically, the anti-spreading device is about four to 12 inches above the ground surface 1000. In other embodiments, the anti-spreading device is less than midway between the ground surface 1000 and the point of connection between the two poles and the hub 1. FIG. 6 also depicts a telescopic pole 203 received and inserted into hub 1. FIG. 6 also depicts another embodiment of the instant invention wherein the second line attachment point 12, which is the second detachable eyelet 52, may attach multiple second lines 302(a) and 302(b).

FIG. 7 shows the versatility of the instant invention wherein the connecting hub 1 has merely one pole 101 for elevation, which is inserted and received into the hub, but has three detachable eyelets 51, 52 and 53, comprising the first, second and third line attachment points 11, 12 and 13, respectively. The first line attachment point 11 is in contact with and attached to line 301(a) and the second line attachment point 12 is in contact with and attached to line 302(a), in which both lines are depicted as embedded in the ground surface 1000. The first line attachment point 11 and the second line attachment point 12 are also attached to multiple lines 301(b) and 302(b), respectively. This configuration allows objects not depicted but attached to multiple lines 301(b) and 302(b) to be elevated. Further, FIG. 7 also depicts the third line attachment point 13, which is the third detachable eyelet 53 to elevate a third object (not depicted) attached to a third line 303.

Embodiments disclosed allow a user to use a hammock or slack line most anywhere and in most any terrain without adding considerable weight or bulk to their pack and provides them a means to hang their hammock or slack line in the privacy and protection of a tent or beneath a tarp without the use of land features.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a multi-functional hub that may be used alone or in combination with other components to create a tent structure and/or tarp and hammock support. The instant invention creates a hub or coupling device in which all the components of the structure may be plugged into or coupled with the hub. As is well-known in the art, the multi-functional connecting hub or coupling device can be made from aluminum rod and holes may be drilled at various angles to accommodate the poles of the leg poles, base poles, tarp pole(s) and or tent structure components, such as hammock or slack lines. Eyelets or other connection elements may then be attached to the connecting hub to provide one or more attachment points for the hammock, slack line and anchor cordage. Poles as described herein, include leg and base poles, tent pole structures, and tarp pole material are comprised of and may be manufactured from, but not limited to, aluminum, carbon, hybrid aluminum or any other material known in the art. Other materials such as but not limited to carbon and stainless steel, brass, titanium, various plastics and nylons or any other material known in the art can be used to construct the hub. The method of creating the holes or attachment points for the legs/base, tarp pole and or tent structure can be: machining, pour molding, blow molding, roto molding, or any other process known in the art. The attachment points for the anchor cordage can be eyelets, holes, grooves, indentations or protrusions, mechanical couplings or any other device or element known in the art. Once assembled the hammock stand/tent structure may then be staked out and held in place by one or several guy lines.

Furthermore, embodiments may include an anti-spreading device that comes in contact with and or attaches through various methods to the poles in order to keep the poles from bowing out, which allows for more strength and lighter leg material to be used. The anti-spreading device can be made of cable, wire, webbing, cordage, aluminum or carbon poles or any other material known in the art. Furthermore, said invention can be used with two stands or a single stand on one end and infinite options for attachments points on the other. Additionally, said invention can be fully collapsible and packable. The instant invention can allow for poles of different height and strength to be interchangeable. Said invention can have adjustable poles and/or tent structure through the use of various pole locks, pin locks, twist locks or any other pole locking device known in the art. Said invention can have a multi component hub that can sandwich tent material as to provide an attachment point both on the inside and the outside of tent wall.

The terms “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean one or more (but not all) embodiments unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, any method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Further, the Abstract is provided herein for convenience and should not be employed to construe or limit the overall invention, which is expressed in the claims. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A connecting hub comprising, a first line connection point adaptable to receive a first line, a second line connection point adaptable to receive a second line and a first cavity adapted to receive a first pole.
 2. The connecting hub of claim 1, wherein the first line connection point comprises a first eyelet.
 3. The connecting hub of claim 2, wherein the first line connection point comprises a detachable eyelet attached to the first eyelet.
 4. The connecting hub of claim 1, wherein the first line connection point comprises a first detachable eyelet.
 5. The connecting hub of claim 1, wherein the second line connection point comprises a second eyelet.
 6. The connecting hub of claim 5, wherein the second line connection point comprises a detachable eyelet attached to the second eyelet.
 7. The connecting hub of claim 1, wherein the second line connection point comprises a second detachable eyelet.
 8. The connecting hub of claim 1, wherein the hub further comprises a third line connection point adaptable to receive a third line.
 9. The connecting hub of claim 8, wherein the third line connection point further comprises a third eyelet.
 10. The connecting hub of claim 9, wherein the third line connection point comprises a detachable eyelet attached to the first eyelet.
 11. The connecting hub of claim 8, wherein the third line connection point comprises a detachable eyelet attached to the third eyelet.
 12. The connecting hub of claim 1, further comprising a first pole received into the first cavity adapted to receive the first pole, said first pole having a first pole length and a first pole end adapted to contact a ground surface.
 13. The connecting hub of claim 12, wherein the first pole comprises a first telescopic pole adapted to alter the first pole length.
 14. The connecting hub of claim 1, further comprising a second cavity adaptable to receive a second pole.
 15. The connecting hub of claim 14, further comprising a second pole received into the second cavity adapted to receive the second pole, said second pole having a second pole length and a second pole end adapted to contact a ground surface.
 16. The connecting hub of claim 15, wherein the second pole comprises a second telescopic pole adapted to alter the second pole length.
 17. The connecting hub of claim 1, further comprising a third cavity adaptable to receive a third pole.
 18. A connecting hub comprising, a first line connection point adaptable to receive a first line, a second line connection point adaptable to receive a second line, a first cavity adapted to receive a first pole, a first pole received into the first cavity adapted to receive the first pole, said first pole having a first pole length and a first pole end adapted to contact a ground surface, a second cavity adapted to receive a second pole, a second pole received into the second cavity adapted to receive the second pole, said second pole having a second pole length and a second pole end adapted to contact the ground surface and an anti-spreading device in contact with the first pole and the second pole, said anti-spreading device in contact with the first pole at a point above the ground and below where the first pole and the connecting hub connect and said anti-spreading device in contact with the second pole at a point above the ground and below where the second pole and the connecting hub connect. 